How Much Does an Australian Shepherd Cost?

An Australian Shepherd dog, contrary to its name, is most commonly known as an Aussie but was not developed in Australia. Rather, it has been raised in the ranches of western United States since the early 1800s.

An Australian Shepherd is a medium size, robust, rustic, and well-balanced dog whose ears are positioned high at the side of its head with a triangular shape but slightly rounded tip. Its coat has a medium texture and is fairly easy to groom. This dog sheds about an average amount for a dog. Although it can be aggressive when at work with livestock, an Aussie is easy-going and gets along well with children, remaining a loyal friend and guardian to its owner. The cost of an Australian Shepherd is comparable to almost all other types of dog, and is therefore a very viable option for you and your family.

How much does it cost?

On average, plan on budgeting anywhere from as little as $400 to as much as $1,900 for an Australian Shepherd. The price will come down to the breeder, the age of the dog, gender, its quality and other factors.

With any dog, a purebreed will be near the top of the price list while an older dog can be near the bottom.

Puppyfind.com has this list of Australian Shepherd dogs for sale with their corresponding prices. Here, a 4 month old Australian Shepherd can cost $200 while a 7 week old puppy can cost as much as $1,200.

Meanwhile, according to Pet-adoption-guide.com, the average cost of an Australian Shepherd dog is around $600 to $1,000.

What is going to be included?

A reputable breeder will include up to date vaccinations for protect the dog from certain diseases and conditions; paperwork showing that the dog is of certain quality breed; registration papers is the dog is registered with the Australian Shepherd; a health guarantee to ensure that the dog is free of birth defects to the breeder’s knowledge and to guarantee the puppy’s health for a few months; and accessories that can include toys, samples of food and treats, and perhaps a leash and collar.

An Aussie is a moderately active dog and needs a spacious, rural setting where it can roam around freely. Therefore, it is not suitable for an apartment life. It is best in a home with a large fenced in yard.

Since it is an energetic working dog, an Aussie needs to have plenty of exercise to keep it fit both mentally and physically. It has to be taken on a daily brisk walk, long walk, or run alongside a bicycle or its owner.

Although it is accustomed to the working environment, an Aussie can be destructive if you keep it indoors because of its highly energetic behavior.

What are the extra costs?

Factor in the dog’s food, health care, and maintenance. Plan on budgeting at least $150 to $200 per month to properly take care of a dog.

If you order your Australian Shepherd online or from a breeder miles away, you will spend for the shipping and handling fees. Shipping a dog through the air can cost upwards of $300. The breeder may include the shipping crate just not the airfare.

In order to protect your dog, you will want to get a tag. This is a piece of metal or plastic that hangs from the dog’s collar with a phone number or address in case the dog gets lost. There are also microchips that can be implanted with this same information.

Because of the natural instincts of the Australian Shepherd, it is a good idea to invest in dog training and obedience classes.

Tips to know:

Aussies are known for their protective and guarding instincts and because of this, they can be naturally aggressive. A good breeder will also do a minimum OFA and CERF clearance. Some may even check the bloodlines.

This type of dog is prone to blindness, deafness, cataracts, nasal solar dermatitis, CEA, CHD, Pelger-Huet Syndrome, lumbar sacral syndrome, iris coloboma, epilepsy, distichiasis, and other ailments. When you buy an Aussie puppy, be sure to check its hearing before agreeing to the purchase.

The average life span of an Aussie is between eleven and thirteen years. But with the discovery of modern veterinary medicine, dogs, and other pets can now enjoy life up to 20 years or even longer.

Australian Shepherd dogs weigh around 50 to 55 pounds.

Do not buy this type of dog if you are not able to be home most of the day or if you are having a hard time making commitments in life.

How can I save money?

If you want to get a pure-breed Australian Shepherd, always research the breeder. Make sure you ask a lot of questions and focus on the quality rather than the price.

You may be able to get a cheaper Aussie from animal shelters and rescue organizations, especially if it is older. A good place to check is with the Australian Shepherd Club of America or the Australian Shepherd Association.

Be wary of a cheaper dog. These dogs tend to have no health checks and could lead to thousands of dollars in vet bills.